We are an immigration law firm located in Overland Park, Kansas. We represent immigrants on appeal
before the BIA and the federal courts all over the country. We also represent immigrants before the
Kansas City immigration court and individuals, families, and businesses in various immigration
issues and applications.
The Hoppock Law Firm is located close to I-35 in downtown Shawnee, Kansas. Much of our work involves
immigration litigation, immigration court, criminal immigration issues, BIA appeals, immigration
appeals in federal court, and family-based visa petitions. We also assist individuals with asylum
applications and victims of crimes in the United States with U visas and T visas. Call our office
to schedule a consultation. 913-267-5511.
Matthew Hoppock is a seasoned immigration advocate and litigator. He focuses on providing affordable legal services to immigrants and their family with a particular emphasis on appeals to the federal courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the AAO and BALCA, as well as litigating immigration issues in federal court.
Matthew also consults with other attorneys on appellate strategy and brief writing on a contract basis.
Publications and Seminars:
"Til Death Do Us Part," AILA 2015 Annual Conference presentation, Washington D.C. (2015)
“Litigating Immigration Cases in Federal Court” CLE for Kansas and Missouri Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association (2015)
“Federal Litigation for Immigration Attorneys” – AILA Omaha Chapter Conference (2014)
“Particular Social Groups after Matter of MEVG and Matter of WGR,” CLE for Kansas and Missouri Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association (2014)
“Best Practices in Stays of Removal and Filing Form I-246″ CLE for Kansas and Missouri Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association (2013)
“Witness Protection & UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime” CLE Sponsored by American Immigration Lawyers Association (2012)
“Asylum, VAWA, and U Visas,” CLE Sponsored by Husch Blackwell (2011) “Forgotten Social Groups,” 4 J. Migration & Refugee Issues 126 (2008)
A significant portion of our practice involves appeals of immigration judge decisions, either to the BIA or the Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as writing briefs for other attorneys in appeals.
Most appeals from immigration court decisions fall into categories: (1) challenging whether the immigrant is actually removable, and (2) challenging decisions denying relief from removal (like asylum). However, appeals can also focus on the procedure the immigration judge followed or whether the hearing itself was fair.
We often take on appeals even when we were not the original attorneys at court. Appealing immigration decisions takes an eye for technical detail combined with the ability to synthesize complex immigration concepts and the facts of the case into a compelling, persuasive legal argument.
Our experience litigating appeals in nearly every federal circuit as well as at the BIA is based on a commitment to solid legal research, a deep understanding of the immigration statute and regulations, a thorough review of the administrative record, and a touch of creativity.
An appeal is not appropriate in every case. Sometimes you may have the right to file an appeal but doing so would be a waste of your time and money. In other cases, an appeal might be necessary to preserve your rights before the immigration court. Appeals can also be complicated when an immigrant has been granted voluntary departure or is detained by the Department of Homeland Security. We enjoy these challenges. If you or someone you know is looking for an immigration attorney for BIA Appeals or Federal Circuit Court appeals, please feel free to call.
U Visas, T Visas and Protection From Harm
The U Visa and the T Visa were created to help immigrants who have been the victims of violent crime or severe forms of trafficking to obtain lawful status in the United States. Importantly, these visas tend to require cooperation with the police and prosecutors, and they may require certification by a government official about the crime and level of cooperation. We help with all aspects of U Visas and T Visas, beginning with obtaining the certification form from the government official, preparing the visa forms, preparing the documents necessary to prove your eligibility, and filing the application forms with the USCIS. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime and are looking for a Kansas City immigration law firm to help with a U visa, please feel free to call.
Asylum and Refugee Status
The United States is a member of several international treaties and conventions which require it to not deport immigrants to countries where they are likely to be harmed. Immigrants who are in the United States and afraid to return to another country may be eligible to apply for asylum, withholding of removal, or deferral under the Convention Against Torture. However, the law especially complicated and these forms of relief require an understanding both of the statutory requirements and the practical necessities in filing for asylum and other forms of protection. There may also be a very short timeframe in which a person can apply, and they may need to gather evidence that is not immediately available. We have helped hundreds of asylum seekers and their families to navigate this complicated system. If you or someone you know are afraid to return to another country and are looking for a Kansas City immigration law firm to help with your refugee or asylum application, please feel free to call.
Adjustment of Status
A person already present in the United States might qualify to "adjust" their status to lawful permanent residence if they meet one of the various requirements listed at INA 245. This process requires filing an application for adjustment and a number of other forms to prove both eligibility for adjustment of status and that the person is "admissible" to the United States. On the other hand, if a person is not eligible for adjustment of status, there can be serious and possibly disastrous consequences of applying for adjustment of status. If you or someone you know are looking for a Kansas City immigration law firm to help with your adjustment of status application, please feel free to call.
Citizenship and Naturalization
We handle all aspects of citizenship claims, including applications to naturalize, passport applications, and derivative citizenship claims. Naturalization is not simple; the application is have 20-pages long and asks a number of complex questions about your life history. Some individuals are lawfully present but are not yet allowed to naturalize. Knowing whether and when to file a naturalization application is absolutely crucial. On the other hand, you may already be a citizen through your parents' status or perhaps even your grandparents. We have handled a number of citizenship claims and passport applications for derivative citizens around the world. If you or someone you know are looking for a Kansas City immigration law firm to help with a citizenship or naturalization claim, please feel free to call.
Federal Litigation
Sometimes, an immigration application is denied erroneously or the government's action or inaction causes serious harm to the applicant. This can include long delays in processing or adjudicating applications, refusing to provide the status of a pending application, or denying an application for a reason not permitted under the law. In those cases, there is sometimes the option to file an administrative appeal, but another legitimate option may be to pursue the claim in federal District Court under the Administrative Procedures Act or other federal statutes. We have litigated immigration cases in numerous federal district courts around the country. If your case is delayed or has been denied and you are considering litigating the denial, please feel free to call.
